March 17-19 2025
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara
by the
CONNECT
COASTLINE
The Event
Join us March 17-19, 2025, for the Kinetic Experiences luxury wedding professionals retreat at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel in Santa Barbara, CA. Nestled in the lush, verdant hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this retreat provides a breathtaking opportunity to connect with industry leaders, sharpen your skills, and rekindle your enthusiasm for the wedding industry. Attendees will find themselves immersed in an environment of luxury, surrounded by spectacular ocean views and tranquil gardens that stimulate creativity and connection.
We are thrilled to partner with Kaleb Norman James Design as our Creative Director, alongside a host of influential and innovative guest speakers. The retreat will feature intimate sessions (allowing for one-on-one conversations with our speakers) that encourage personal interaction with speakers, as well as grand, luxury event experiences that promise to be unforgettable.
Sponsored by
HOST LOCATION
Raise a toast to Californian chic at our Santa Barbara hideaway, In our verdant grounds and fertile landscape, trade the stress of city life for balmy air and azure ocean views. Sample the finest local ingredients and Californian wines, best paired with deep blue skies and radiant golden sunsets. With luxurious privacy among elegant bungalows and cottages, follow in the footsteps of the Hollywood elite for a taste of uninterrupted serenity.
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Kaleb Norman James
Design Partner
Kaleb Norman James is a Seattle native who began his career in floral design. When he realized he was designing beautiful events that lacked logistical direction, he took his background in corporate event planning and combined with his love of floral and design to create a full service event planning & design firm. Since its inception in 2014, Kaleb has planned weddings across the world from Italy, to France, Costa Rica to the Caribbean. Rooted in a love of travel, architecture and fashion, his designs have a strong European influence and forever find their roots in a classic, Ralph Lauren inspired aesthetic. These passions have all greatly influenced his approach to developing his signature aesthetic- combining old world grandeur, with a finely edited sense of restraint.
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See Kaleb's Event Moodboard
Known for her tenacious spirit and warm personality, Michelle Norwood is a sought-after destination wedding planner based in New Orleans. Her bespoke planning and design approach is to start with her clients–to uncover their unique stories and backgrounds and let their stories inspire the celebration. When she’s not planning and designing signature spaces, she’s trying out new natural beauty regimens (her clients swear by) and traveling the world.
Michelle Norwood
Speakers
Who We'Ll Hear
Weddings were never part of the plan, but hear her out. Claire left the Dominican Republic in 2008 to pursue a master’s in international public policy at Stanford, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Her career in Latin American democracy and development included work with the World Bank and Brookings Institution.
Yet, she missed the creativity of her youth—ballet, piano, art. So, in 2014, Claire made a bold pivot, founding her namesake weddings and events company in Washington, D.C., blending technical rigor with artistic flair. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings, but what truly makes her proud is promoting diversity and celebrating all love stories.
Claire Durán
As a wedding photographer, Lance’s approach is informed by his time in editorial photography and his fine-art background. With over a decade in weddings Lance’s work aims to push past the seen and showcases how each wedding and moment were truly experienced. In addition, Lance has taught photography at the college level for the past 15 years, had the opportunity to speak at wedding industry events, and written over 100 published educational articles. His work has been seen in print in Brides Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Carats & Cake, Over The Moon, Equally Wed, Brides UK Magazine, Invited Magazine, The Knot, Magnolia Rouge Magazine, The New York Times, and Adorn Magazine.
Lance Nicoll
Join us in the late afternoon for our retreat check-in where you'll receive your event guide and name tag. This is your opportunity to mingle and meet fellow attendees, hosts, and speakers. The official opening session will commence with inspiring speeches from our guest host, creative director, and the host venue. Immerse yourself in a variety of engaging breakout sessions designed to spark meaningful connections and discussions. As the sun sets, unwind with cocktails and dinner, followed by some time to connect with everyone.
Kickoff & Networking
Day One
Rise and shine with a sumptuous breakfast before embarking on a day filled with enlightening speaker sessions in rotating groups, allowing you to interact closely with our speakers and your peers. Post-lunch, enjoy a unique experience before your rest period which offers an opportunity to rest, connect with fellow attendees, explore or snag a one-on-one session with one of our speakers. Evening brings another chance to relax and socialize over cocktails and dinner, setting the stage for a reflective evening.
Connecting & Learning
Day Two
Your last day with us begins with a lovely brunch, followed by creative sessions and a Q&A with our guest host to about the themes of our retreat. The afternoon's creative sessions with our main stage speakers offer one last deep dive into our content. After a brief rest, gather for one-on-one discussions that ensure you leave with every question answered. Our final evening together will be marked by a special cornerstone dinner where we’ll share closing remarks and heartfelt goodbyes.
Explore & Experience
Day Three
Itinerary
What We'll Do
View Detailed Itinerary
View Detailed Itinerary
Kickoff & Networking
Connecting & Learning
Day Two
Explore & Experience
Day Three
Itinerary
What We'll Do
View General Itinerary
Day One
Breakfast
9:00 AM
Guest Host Session
10:00 AM
Connection Session
11:00 AM
Lunch
12 NOON
Check-in and Mingling
4:00 PM
Opening Sessions
5:15 PM
Cocktail Hour
6:30 PM
Welcome Dinner
7:30 PM
Afternoon Experiences
1:00 PM
BREAK
Cocktails
6:00 PM
Cornerstone Dinner
7:00 PM
Breakfast
8:30 AM
Speaker & Connection Session 1
9:15 AM
Speaker & Connection Session 2
10:30 AM
Lunch
11:45 AM
Afternoon Experience
1:00 PM
BREAK
Cocktails
6:00 PM
Dinner
7:00 PM
View General Itinerary
- All meals during the program: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
- All Education sessions
- All Connection sessions
- All Experiences unless otherwise noted
- Cornerstone Celebration
$4,900
Registration
What's Included
The concept for this design came from a sense of juxtaposition of the old world and overgrown with a contrasting sense of intentionality and clean lines. It's a study of classic ornate design with a strong sense of edit and restraint. We'll put great focus on texture, with lush, overgrown greenery, contrasted with modern touches in the furniture, stationery and vessels used throughout.
Moodboard
Our event concept
Questions?
How can I attend a Kinetic Experience?
All of our events are by invitation. We use a pay-it-forward system where hosts and partners nominate attendees, who can then nominate others. Speak to your colleagues about Kinetic Experiences, and an invitation will often find you! Be sure to register for our email list to stay in the know about upcoming and past events.
What is included in my registration?
Your registration covers all meals, programming, and group experiences listed in the event schedule. Some events offer opportunities to enhance your experience with one-on-one sessions, additional activities, or add-on programs. Travel and accommodations are not included unless noted.
When do attendees find out event specific details?
After registration, attendees will receive a link to our regularly-updated event hub, whcih will house information like expected local weather, experience details, event themes, wardrobe inspiration, and a full event itinerary.
How many people attend Kinetic Experiences?
Our events are intimate, designed to maximize opportunities for connection and relationship development. While the group size varies based on the host location, we typically have 50-75 attendees, ensuring a close-knit and engaging experience.
How can I find out about future Kinetic Experiences?
You can join our email list and follow our instagram to be the first to know about our next locations and Save the Date announcements.
Is there a limit to the number invited from a specific vendor category?
Yes, we cap the number of attendees in each vendor category to ensure a diverse mix of professionals, which creates a truly magical experience. By limiting numbers in each category, we foster an environment where everyone can learn from each other's roles and grow together.
Can I apply to be on the vendor team for an Experience?
We'd love to have you join us! We accept applications for Creative Partners and the Photo/Video Team on a rolling basis. Please visit our "How to Get Involved" section to submit your application.
Can I apply to speak or present at an Experience?
Absolutely. We're always on the lookout for industry thought leaders who have something they're passionate about sharing with our attendees. We accept applications for Speakers on a rolling basis. Please visit our "How to Get Involved" section to submit your application.
Any other questions?
If your question wasn't answered above, please feel free to drop us a line.
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